Over the past few decades, the Finger Lakes GrassRoots Festival of Music and Dance has grown to be more than just a single event in Trumansburg, NY and this year the latest addition to the roster returns for its sophomore year: the GrassRoots Culture Camp 2017 runs from Sunday through Wednesday, July 16-19, the four days leading up to the 27th annual GrassRoots Festival which takes place July 20-23. Both the camp and the festival are held at the Trumansburg Fairgrounds.

Culture Camp is an incredible opportunity to attend four days of music and dance workshops led by many of the favorite GrassRoots performers including instructors from Donna The Buffalo, Driftwood, The Horseflies, Preston Frank and His Zydeco Family Band, Keith Secola, Balfa Toujours, Los Texmaniacs, Big Mean Sound Machine, Jennie Lowe Stearns, The Blind Spots, Richie and Rosie, Bobby Henrie and The Goners, and many more! Culture Camp Coordinator and co-founding member of Donna the Buffalo, Tara Nevins, says, "GrassRoots Culture Camp offers first hand learning experience with masters of traditional and contemporary art forms, including music, dance, visual arts, and culinary arts in a fun and positive setting, promoting community and the importance of tradition and culture in our society.”

The workshops, along with themed nightly dinners and dances, provide an opportunity to immerse oneself in an intimate learning experience and to enjoy a few extra days of fun before the festival begins. Workshops include fiddle, banjo, guitar, the art of guitar and cello, bass, mandolin, accordion, improvisation, singing, children’s sing song, country songs old and new, cajun songs, songwriting, father and son duo, Native Americana, the spirit of the native american drum, Moog synthesizers, Afrobeat drumset rhythms & concepts, bodhran, scrubboard, triangle, dance, acrylic painting, yoga, youth percussion, and youth square dance. Advanced musicians as well as beginners are welcome!

PREVIOUS CULTURE CAMP ATTENDEES SAY: "What an amazing experience Culture Camp turned out to be! Rarely is there an opportunity to immerse yourself in music while learning how to make it. The nightly shows in the dance tent were fabulous! The dinner cuisine was superb! My favorite workshops were Songwriting and Duet Singing. I left Culture Camp feeling inspired and energized!" --Phyllis Atwell

"In all honesty, last year's Culture Camp was a major life experience for me. I was able to work and jam with with professionals, such as Jeb Puryear. At my level of playing as an adult learner, I never thought that I would have had that opportunity. I received individualized instruction from the very talented Joey Arcuri of Driftwood. I don't think I've put down my upright bass since. I look forward to Culture Camp to rejuvenate the inspiration and motivation for another whole year. Culture Camp is such a beautiful way to ease into the excitement of the music festival....the feeding of my soul through music, education, arts, culture, and friends that have become family." --Ni Lu

"My Culture Camp participation was a combination of learning, experiencing, and interacting with people up close and feeling the joy of what they do and bring to GrassRoots. It's truly rewarding!" --Jeffrey Schriber